MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
March 2, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in the City Hall Auditorium.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, members of the Board of Public Safety Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, Darlene Battle and Christopher Cook, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick, Lt. Michael Emanuel, Detective Kevin Tieman, Fire Chief John Field, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Director of Operations at Campion Ambulance Fred Rosa, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief Lawrence Dauphanais, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous, and Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Emergency Meeting held February 4, 2011. Commissioners LaMonica and Battle abstained.
PRESENTATION: YEARS OF SERVICE – POLICE DEPT.
Mayor Bingham and Chief Maniago presented awards to the following members of the Police Department for their many years of service: Officer Ronald Currier – 25 years, Officer John Newkirk – 25 years, Deputy Chief Christopher Smedick – 25 years, Chief Michael Maniago – 25 years and 30 years of service
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
POLICE INTERCEPTORS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Board’s recommendation to move forward to obtain bids for two Police Interceptors. Chief Maniago explained this will be the last round of Crown Victorias they will be able to obtain. Commissioner Benedetto questioned the possibility of better gas mileage vehicles. Chief Maniago said that will be part of the next round. Commission Potter said that bringing these two cars forward on the Vehicle Replacement Plan was part of the smoothing process.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to enter executive session under security strategy at 7:08 pm, inviting Deputy Chief Smedick, Chief Maniago, Mrs. Zucco, Atty. Weaver, Lt. Emanuel, and Det. Tieman.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to enter open session at 7:27 pm.
POLICE DEPT. SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Purchasing Agent’s and the Police Department’s recommendation regarding expenditures for security enhancements for the Police Department.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for January 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked about Traffic’s number increasing to $336,630. Chief Maniago said that this question comes up every month, and that each of the three clerks goes into Traffic one day a week. He pointed out what has been accomplished, including four dozen overdue parking ticket letters having been sent out in the last two days, and 3500 new people being sent to DMV so there will be an increase in paid fines. Chief Maniago said the boot letters are the next phase, and Officer Pisarski’s return to traffic will be evaluated in the next month.
Commissioner Benedetto said enforcement has been successful in slowing down traffic at the top of the hill.
OFFICER SHOPEY’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Report from January 2011.
FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT
Chief Field explained this was to provide the Commissioners with a look at what went on throughout the whole year covering everything from human resources to incidents, and expectations for 2011. There was no discussion and Mayor Bingham said he did a good job.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Brunoli's Report dated February 23, 2011.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal's Report dated February 2, 2011.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer's Report dated February 24, 2011.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for January 2011. Commissioner Benedetto said they did a good job.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Director’s Report for January 2011. Commissioner Cook asked about the protocol with FEMA. Mr. Dalla Valle explained the process is started at the state level, where a threshold is set for each county. The Fire Dept, Public Works Dept. including Parks and Recreation, WPCA, and Street Dept. all submitted time and figures for reimbursement.
BUS: DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago noted that Officer Cooling is preparing for deployment to Afghanistan for 14 mos. Two recruits will graduate from the Academy on April 6th, bringing the Department up to full staffing. He thanked Chief Field and his Department for Gov. Malloy’s security, and said the Fire Marshal was invaluable that night.
Chief Field said on behalf of the Deputy Chief that the bids have all been returned on the truck that was discussed during the last meeting. They came back cheaper and could save the City close to $100,000.
He said construction progresses at the Fire House, he will participate in the St. Baldrick’s charity event, and offered to provide Commissioner Benedetto the information he requested regarding incident report codes.
Mr. Rosa said they hope to see new sprinter vans in Torrington soon. They are higher, not much wider, and hopefully more fuel efficient.
Mr. Dalla Valle corrected his report, having just left a meeting where he learned the radio antennae plans are for a mobile one, not stationary.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Torringford Chief Dauphanais reported on the Winsted Area Chiefs meetings which are incorporating some officer and NIMS training. They are working on some mutual aid agreements. He noted that the Winsted area will receive equipment through grant funding such as an air trailer, a rehab trailer and a lighted sign trailer. They have a Regional Rope Rescue Team through Riverton which has already been beneficial on several calls and is open to Torringford’s members. Torringford has two new members that will be starting Fire 1 school.
Drakeville Chief Maccalous said they also have two new members starting fire school next week, and are having a Comedy Night fundraiser on March 26th.
Mayor Bingham noted that Burrville was awarded a $27,000 grant announced by Congressman Murphy.
Burrville Chief Marques added that it was $27,289, and they have to match 5% which is around $1400. They are having a Wrestling Match fundraiser on March 26th.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioner LaMonica congratulated Burrville VFD for their grants and said he was very impressed with the work done for Governor Malloy’s visit.
Commissioner Zaharek congratulated the four officers with 25 and 30 years of service. He asked Chief Maniago if he’d consider a grace period on parking tickets. Chief Maniago offered to talk about it.
Commissioner Benedetto asked Officer Shopey about the top of Kennedy Drive. Officer Shopey said the traffic study would cost $27,000 and there is an extremely low accident history in that location. Commissioner Benedetto asked if Officer Shopey would contact the state about the promised arrow near Price Chopper. Chief Dauphanais discussed some near-accidents they witness in that area. Officer Shopey offered extra enforcement there. Commissioner Benedetto commended the police officers for their years of service.
Commissioner Potter asked Chief Field and Mr. Rosa about their reports, as only one or two of the Fire Dept.’s 17 Medical Calls jibe with Campion’s 9 Fire Dept. Assists. Chief Field offered to review them with Mr. Rosa.
Mr. Rosa explained that Campion doesn’t list the five categories that the Fire Dept. responds to. The nine Assists he listed are when the incident goes beyond the five categories and they specifically ask the Fire Dept. to respond.
Commissioner Potter noted that the seventeen lockouts the Fire Dept. went to seems like a high number. Chief Field assured him that they are following Department Policy. Chief Maniago agreed that the Police Department is following policy as well, and made a conjecture that the lockouts may be due to the inclement weather, when people warm up their cars.
Commissioner Cook asked Chief Field about the congestion on streets off Washington Ave. Chief Field said they haven’t had any problems, and gave kudos to the Police Dept. for their enforcement of parking bans.
Commissioner Battle congratulated the police officers on their years of services. She said a good job was done at the North Elm Street Fire, including Emergency Management and Campion.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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